iMac 21" - upgrade to i7 or 16gb

[copydeskcat]

Thinking on getting an iMac 21" with the 1GB on-board nVidia graphics. This would be a video editing machine (videos of around 5-10mins in length with effects).

If you could only choose between one of two upgrades, would you upgrade to: the i7 processor or take it up to 16gb of memory?

Which of the two would give you a better performance boost when editing video?

 

[Serban]

I think the cpu for processing

 

[copydeskcat]

I think the cpu for processing

am I right in thinking though that whatever memory configuration I go with on the 21", I'm stuck with it?

I suppose the same could be said for the processor...

 

[macmee]

am I right in thinking though that whatever memory configuration I go with on the 21", I'm stuck with it?

I suppose the same could be said for the processor...

The CPU of course sounds like the better upgrade to me. A better CPU and even 8GB of ram would be sufficient.

 

[BlazednSleepy]

If you can wait, save up and upgrade both. If not the CPU will be more important. Rendering effects, exporting the videos etc. All CPU intensive.

 

[Skittery Badger]

You're correct that the ram cannot be upgraded in the 21" model. At least not easily.